PC Connection, Inc.NASDAQ: CNXN

Connection (CNXN) Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

· Issued by PC Connection, Inc. via Business Wire

Summary by 6ix AI

Connection (PC Connection, Inc.), an information technology solutions provider to business, government, healthcare and education markets, reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. Net sales rose 23.3% year over year, and net income rose 27.2% to $31.5 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, from $24.7 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, a year earlier.

Key details

  • The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock, payable on November 27, 2026, to shareholders of record on November 10, 2026.
  • For the third quarter, gross billings (total value of goods and services billed) rose 19.4% to $1.3 billion from $1.1 billion. Gross profit rose 16.7% to $161.9 million from $138.6 million. Gross margin fell 110 basis points (hundredths of a percentage point) to 18.5%.
  • Third-quarter net sales by segment: Enterprise Solutions rose 27.4% to $407.5 million, Business Solutions rose 27.8% to $328.2 million, and Public Sector Solutions rose 4.6% to $138.6 million.
  • For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, net income rose 29.9% to $81.8 million, or $3.23 per diluted share, from $63.0 million, or $2.45 per diluted share, a year earlier. Net sales for the period rose 12.9%.
  • Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $343.3 million as of September 30, 2026, compared with $406.7 million as of December 31, 2025.

6ix AI wrote this summary from the release below and checked it against the release.

MERRIMACK, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Connection (PC Connection, Inc.; NASDAQ: CNXN), a leading information technology solutions provider to business, government, healthcare and education markets, today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share of the Company’s common stock. Payment will be made on November 27, 2026, to shareholders of record on November 10, 2026.

“Connection delivered record net sales, gross billings, and gross profit in the third quarter, translating strong customer demand and disciplined execution into earnings growth,” said Timothy McGrath, Chief Executive Officer. McGrath continued, “AI is expanding the opportunities across the technology lifecycle, and our expertise brings the right solutions together to help customers realize the value. We believe our integrated capabilities position us well to deepen customer relationships, deliver sustained profitable growth and long-term shareholder value.”

Third Quarter of 2026 Results:

Net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 increased by 23.3% year over year. Gross billings increased by 19.4% to $1.3 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 20251. Gross profit increased by 16.7% to $161.9 million, compared to $138.6 million for the third quarter of 2025, and gross margin decreased 110 basis points to 18.5%, compared to the prior year quarter. Net income increased 27.2% to $31.5 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, compared to $24.7 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2025.

Performance by Segment:

  • Net sales for the Business Solutions segment increased by 27.8% to $328.2 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $256.8 million in the prior year quarter. Gross billings increased by 22.1% to $522.7 million, compared to $428.2 million in the prior year quarter1. Gross profit increased by 14.9% to $78.2 million, compared to $68.0 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin decreased by 270 basis points to 23.8% for the third quarter of 2026.
  • Net sales for the Public Sector Solutions segment increased by 4.6% to $138.6 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $132.5 million in the prior year quarter. Gross billings increased by 6.8% to $233.3 million, compared to $218.5 million in the prior year quarter1. Gross profit increased by 2.9% to $23.5 million, compared to $22.8 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin decreased by 30 basis points to 16.9% for the third quarter of 2026.
  • Net sales for the Enterprise Solutions segment increased by 27.4% to $407.5 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $319.8 million in the prior year quarter. Gross billings increased by 23.1% to $521.2 million, compared to $423.3 million in the prior year quarter1. Gross profit increased by 26.0% to $60.2 million, compared to $47.8 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin decreased by 10 basis points to 14.8% for the third quarter of 2026.

Sales by Product Mix:

  • Notebooks/mobility and desktop sales increased by 27% year over year and accounted for 46% of net sales in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 45% of net sales in the third quarter of 2025.
  • Software sales increased by 23% year over year and accounted for 13% of net sales in the third quarter of both 2026 and 2025.
  • Servers/storage sales increased by 45% year over year and accounted for 9% of net sales in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 7% of net sales in the third quarter of 2025.
  • Networking sales increased by 43% year over year and accounted for 8% of net sales in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 7% of net sales in the third quarter of 2025.
  • Accessories sales increased by 4% year over year and accounted for 10% of net sales in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 12% of net sales in the third quarter of 2025.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased in the third quarter of 2026 by 11.5% to $120.9 million from $108.4 million in the prior year quarter. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased to 13.8%, compared to 15.3% in the prior year quarter.

Interest income in the third quarter of 2026 was $2.5 million, compared to $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2025.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $343.3 million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $406.7 million as of December 31, 2025.

Nine Months of 2026 Results:

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 increased by 12.9%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2025. Gross billings increased by 12.8% to $3.5 billion, compared to $3.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 20251. Gross profit increased by 12.0% to $452.1 million, compared to $403.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, and gross margin decreased 10 basis points to 18.5%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2025. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 increased by 29.9% to $81.8 million, or $3.23 per diluted share, compared to net income of $63.0 million, or $2.45 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share2 increased to $3.31 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared to $2.53 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, restructuring and other charges and non-routine legal settlements (“Adjusted EBITDA”)2 increased 26% to $155.2 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2026, compared to $122.7 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2025.

________________________________
1 Gross billings is the total dollar value of goods and services billed during the period, net of customer returns, credit memos, and any applicable sales or other taxes and include agency fees, and freight. As certain transactions are recognized on a net basis, gross billings include amounts not recognized in net sales.
2 Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See page 9 for definitions and reconciliations of these measures.

Conference Call and Webcast

Connection will host a conference call and live web cast today, October 28, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. EDT to discuss its third quarter financial results. For participants who would like to participate via telephone, please register here to receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that is required to access the call. A web-cast of the conference call, which will be broadcast live via the Internet, and a copy of this press release, can be accessed on Connection’s website at ir.connection.com. For those unable to participate in the live call, a replay of the webcast will be available at ir.connection.com approximately 90 minutes after the completion of the call and will be accessible on the site for approximately one year.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, LTM Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are included to provide additional information with respect to the Company’s operating performance and earnings. Non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures and should be considered together with the GAAP financial measures. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Definitions for each Non-GAAP measure and a reconciliation to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are available in the tables at the end of this release.

About Connection

PC Connection, Inc. and its subsidiaries, dba Connection, (www.connection.com; NASDAQ: CNXN) is a Fortune 1000 company headquartered in Merrimack, NH. With offices throughout the United States, Connection delivers custom-configured IT solutions from its ISO 9001:2015 SOC 2 Type 2 certified Technology Integration and Distribution Center in Wilmington, OH. In addition, the Company has more than 5,000 professional certifications to ensure that it can solve the most complex issues of its customers. Connection also services international customers through its GlobalServe subsidiary, a global IT procurement and service management company. Investors and media can find more information about Connection at http://ir.connection.com.

Connection Business Solutions (800.800.5555) is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services serving primarily the small- and medium-sized business sector. It offers more than 460,000 brand-name products through its staff of technically trained sales account managers, publications, and its website at www.connection.com.

Connection–Enterprise Solutions (561.237.3300), www.connection.com/enterprise, provides corporate technology buyers with best-in-class IT solutions, in-depth IT supply-chain expertise, and real-time access to over 460,000 products and 1,600 vendors through MarkITplace®, a proprietary next-generation, cloud-based supply chain solution. The team’s engineers, software licensing specialists, and subject matter experts help reduce the cost and complexity of buying hardware, software, and services throughout the entire IT lifecycle.

Connection Public Sector Solutions (800.800.0019), is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies and educational institutions through specialized account managers, publications, and online at www.connection.com/publicsector.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance and include statements concerning, among other things, our future financial results, business plans (including statements regarding new products and services we may offer and future expenditures, costs and investments), liabilities, impairment charges, competition and the expected impact of current macroeconomic conditions on our businesses and results of operations. You can generally identify forward-looking statements because they may contain words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions, although not all forward-looking statements include such terms. These statements reflect our current views and are based on assumptions as of the date of this release. Such assumptions are based upon internal estimates and other analysis of current market conditions and trends, management’s expectations, plans and strategies, economic conditions and other factors. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from expectations or results projected or implied by forward-looking statements.

Such differences may result from actions taken by us, including expense reduction or strategic initiatives (including reductions in force, capital investments and new or expanded product offerings or services), the execution of our business plans (including our inventory management, cost structure and management and other personnel decisions) or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond our control, including:

  • macroeconomic factors facing the global economy, including disruptions in or increased volatility of the capital markets, changes in trade policy, which may include the imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers, economic sanctions and economic slowdowns or recessions, government shutdowns, the impact of conflicts in Iran and the Middle East, changes in tax policy, rising inflation and changing interest rates modifying our potential for investment income and the timing thereof or reducing the level of investment our customers are willing to make in IT products;
  • supply constraints, such as the global memory (DRAM and NAND) shortage;
  • substantial competition reducing our market share;
  • significant price competition reducing our profit margins;
  • the loss of any of our major vendors adversely affecting the number or type of products we may offer;
  • virtualization of information technology resources and applications, including networks, servers, applications, and data storage disrupting or altering our traditional distribution models;
  • service interruptions at third party shippers negatively impacting our ability to deliver the products we offer to our customers;
  • increases in shipping and postage costs reducing our margins and adversely affecting our results of operations;
  • loss of key persons or the inability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel adversely affecting our ability to operate our business; and
  • cyberattacks or the failure to safeguard personal information and our IT systems resulting in liability and harm to our reputation.

Additional factors include those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business,” in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in the other subsequent filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this release. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statements are made except as required by law.

CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

At or for the Three Months Ended September 30,

2026

2025

% Change

Operating Data:

Net sales (in thousands)

$

874,313

$

709,068

23

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.24

$

0.97

28

%

Gross margin

18.5

%

19.6

%

Operating margin

4.7

%

4.3

%

Inventory turns (1)

14

18

Days sales outstanding (2)

74

74

% of

% of

Product Mix:

Net Sales

Net Sales

Notebooks/Mobility

32

%

34

%

Desktops

14

11

Software

13

13

Accessories

10

12

Servers/Storage

9

7

Net/Com Products

8

7

Displays and Sound

8

9

Other Hardware/Services

6

7

Total Net Sales

100

%

100

%

Stock Performance Indicators:

Actual shares outstanding (in thousands)

25,248

25,326

Closing price

$

90.23

$

61.99

Market capitalization (in thousands)

$

2,278,127

$

1,569,959

Trailing price/earnings ratio

22.3

19.2

LTM Net Income (in thousands)

$

102,561

$

83,731

LTM Adjusted EBITDA (3) (in thousands)

$

155,170

$

122,730

(1)

Represents the annualized cost of goods sold for the period divided by the average inventory for the prior four-month period.

(2)

Represents the trade receivable at the end of the period divided by average daily net sales for the same three-month period.

(3)

LTM Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure defined as EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted for stock-based compensation, severance expenses and non-routine legal settlements for the last twelve months. See page 9 for a reconciliation.

REVENUE AND MARGIN INFORMATION

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

2026

2025

Net

Gross

Net

Gross

(amounts in thousands)

Sales

Margin

Sales

Margin

Enterprise Solutions

$

407,476

14.8

%

$

319,744

14.9

%

Business Solutions

328,223

23.8

256,841

26.5

Public Sector Solutions

138,614

16.9

132,483

17.2

Total

$

874,313

18.5

%

$

709,068

19.6

%

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2026

2025

2026

2025

Net sales

$

874,313

$

709,068

$

2,450,175

$

2,169,807

Cost of sales

712,452

570,423

1,998,104

1,766,085

Gross profit

161,861

138,645

452,071

403,722

Selling, general and administrative expenses

120,881

108,379

344,794

325,107

Severance expenses

—

—

3,060

2,930

Income from operations

40,980

30,266

104,217

75,685

Interest income, net

2,467

3,689

8,355

10,805

Other income

—

—

—

76

Income tax provision

(11,989

)

(9,215

)

(30,723

)

(23,556

)

Net income

$

31,458

$

24,740

$

81,849

$

63,010

Earnings per common share:

Basic

$

1.25

$

0.98

$

3.25

$

2.46

Diluted

$

1.24

$

0.97

$

3.23

$

2.45

Shares used in computation of earnings per common share:

Basic

25,241

25,354

25,223

25,609

Diluted

25,441

25,489

25,362

25,734

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30,

December 31,

(amounts in thousands)

2026

2025

ASSETS

Current Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

124,597

$

193,221

Short-term investments

218,717

213,457

Accounts receivable, net

789,590

648,020

Inventories, net

226,599

143,567

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

23,718

22,607

Total current assets

1,383,221

1,220,872

Property and equipment, net

45,569

46,912

Right-of-use assets

7,541

1,569

Goodwill

73,602

73,602

Intangibles, net

450

989

Other assets

5,915

6,981

Total Assets

$

1,516,298

$

1,350,925

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

413,156

$

338,202

Accrued payroll

36,800

30,939

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

58,240

51,251

Total current liabilities

508,196

420,392

Deferred income taxes

20,261

19,905

Non-current operating lease liabilities

6,712

498

Total Liabilities

535,169

440,795

Stockholders’ Equity:

Common stock

296

295

Additional paid-in capital

151,805

144,608

Retained earnings

972,606

905,890

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(414

)

78

Treasury stock, at cost

(143,164

)

(140,741

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

981,129

910,130

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$

1,516,298

$

1,350,925

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

(amounts in thousands)

2026

2025

2026

2025

Cash Flows provided by (used in) Operating Activities:

Net income

$

31,458

$

24,740

$

81,849

$

63,010

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

2,640

2,888

8,173

8,853

Adjustments to credit losses reserve

1,414

175

3,210

1,233

Stock-based compensation expense

2,658

2,433

7,950

7,102

Deferred income taxes

1,335

3,185

487

3,185

Amortization of discount on short-term investments, net

(669

)

60

(2,113

)

(1,612

)

Gain on sale of short-term investments

—

—

—

(76

)

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

75

10

149

30

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(64,181

)

20,158

(144,780

)

(6,504

)

Inventories

(21,504

)

(1,531

)

(83,032

)

(39,964

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(2,185

)

(712

)

(1,111

)

(4,854

)

Other non-current assets

426

(2,174

)

1,066

(3,803

)

Accounts payable

35,177

8,537

74,505

11,905

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

23,079

6,380

13,828

(485

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

9,723

64,149

(39,819

)

38,020

Cash Flows (used in) provided by Investing Activities:

Purchases of short-term investments

(55,505

)

(103,216

)

(161,155

)

(155,574

)

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

—

—

—

108,763

Maturities of short-term investments

54,169

51,328

157,385

101,328

Purchases of property and equipment

(2,076

)

(1,870

)

(5,991

)

(5,201

)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(3,412

)

(53,758

)

(9,761

)

49,316

Cash Flows used in Financing Activities:

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

—

—

—

732

Repayment of short-term borrowings

—

—

—

(732

)

Purchase of common stock for treasury shares

—

(5,066

)

(2,481

)

(65,530

)

Payments for excise tax on purchase of common stock for treasury shares

—

—

(678

)

(36

)

Dividend payments

(5,048

)

(3,799

)

(15,133

)

(11,519

)

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

—

—

602

619

Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld

(383

)

(425

)

(1,354

)

(1,343

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(5,431

)

(9,290

)

(19,044

)

(77,809

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

880

1,101

(68,624

)

9,527

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

123,717

186,744

193,221

178,318

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

124,597

$

187,845

$

124,597

$

187,845

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:

Accrued purchases of property and equipment

$

534

$

866

$

534

$

866

Accrued purchase of treasury shares

$

—

$

123

$

—

$

123

Accrued excise tax on treasury purchases

$

—

$

615

$

—

$

615

EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income is detailed below. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted for stock-based compensation, severance expenses and non-routine legal settlements. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position, or cash flows that either includes or excludes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide helpful information with respect to our operating performance including our ability to fund our future capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA also provides helpful information as it is the primary measure used in certain financial covenants contained in our credit agreement. When analyzing our operating performance, investors should use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as alternatives for Net income or any other performance measure presented in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

Three Months Ended September 30,

LTM Ended September 30, (1)

(amounts in thousands)

2026

2025

% Change

2026

2025

% Change

Net income

$

31,458

$

24,740

27

%

$

102,561

$

83,731

22

%

Depreciation and amortization

2,640

2,888

(9

)

11,023

12,019

(8

)

Income tax expense

11,989

9,215

30

37,173

30,145

23

Interest income

(2,515

)

(3,737

)

(33

)

(12,003

)

(15,638

)

(23

)

Interest expense

48

48

—

82

162

(49

)

EBITDA

43,620

33,154

32

138,836

110,419

26

Severance expenses (2)

—

—

—

6,143

2,930

110

Stock-based compensation

2,658

2,433

9

10,191

9,381

9

Adjusted EBITDA

$

46,278

$

35,587

30

%

$

155,170

$

122,730

26

%

(1)

LTM: Last twelve months

(2)

Severance expenses and other charges in 2026 consisted of voluntary retirement offering and internal restructuring activities and in 2025 consisted of internal restructuring activities.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

A reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income to Net Income is detailed below. Adjusted Net Income is defined as Net Income plus severance expenses, net of tax plus or minus loss or income from non-routine legal settlements. A reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share to Diluted Earnings per Share is detailed below. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is defined as diluted earnings per share adjusted for severance expenses, net of tax. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share are considered non-GAAP financial measures (see note above in EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for a description of non-GAAP financial measures). The Company believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share provide helpful information with respect to the Company's operating performance. When analyzing our operating performance, investors should use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share in addition to, and not as alternatives for Net income and Diluted Earnings per Share or any other performance measure presented in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2026

2025

% Change

2026

2025

% Change

Net income

$

31,458

$

24,740

27

%

$

81,849

$

63,010

30

%

Severance expenses (1)

—

—

—

3,060

2,930

4

Tax benefit

—

—

—

(835

)

(797

)

5

Adjusted Net Income

31,458

24,740

27

84,074

65,143

29

Diluted shares

25,441

25,489

25,362

25,734

Diluted Earnings per Share

$

1.24

$

0.97

28

%

$

3.23

$

2.45

32

%

Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share

$

1.24

$

0.97

28

%

$

3.31

$

2.53

31

%

(1)

Severance expenses and other charges in 2026 consisted of voluntary retirement offering and internal restructuring activities and in 2025 consisted of internal restructuring activities.

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